Thiruvananthapuram, 26 May (H.S.): Five police personnel attached to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s security team have been suspended in connection with the alleged assault on Youth Congress and KSU activists during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in Alappuzha.

The action follows findings submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which concluded that members of the former Chief Minister’s security unit had acted beyond their authority during the incident. Those suspended include Anil Kumar, who served as Pinarayi Vijayan’s Personal Security Officer both during his tenure as Chief Minister and currently while he serves as Leader of the Opposition, along with Sandeep, Arun, Vipin and Shaiju, who were part of the escort team accompanying the former Chief Minister during the event.

The suspension order was issued on the basis of a report submitted by the SIT to State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar. According to officials, the report, which was forwarded electronically, concluded that the actions of the security officers — including the former Chief Minister’s gunman — were in violation of established procedures and security norms.

The investigation reportedly found that there was no necessity for the Chief Minister’s security officers to intervene in the protest situation because local police had already moved the protesters away from the area. Despite this, the officers allegedly stepped in and used force against the Youth Congress and KSU workers.

The SIT further observed that some officers had used lathis without authorisation. According to the report, the use of force by personnel not permitted to wield lathis could attract serious legal provisions, including charges related to attempt to murder and unlawful assault.

Earlier, a team led by Crime Branch SP Shoukath Ali had submitted a report before the Alappuzha court naming five individuals as accused in the case.

Investigators also found that the officers, whose responsibility was to continue escorting and securing the VIP convoy, allegedly stopped their vehicles after the VIP convoy had moved ahead and got out to physically attack the protesters. The findings eventually led to disciplinary action and further legal proceedings against the officers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman